spoke one's mind
Expressed honest thoughts
To speak one's mind is to express one's thoughts or opinions openly and directly, especially when doing so might be unwelcome or controversial.
The phrase implies candor over diplomacy: She spoke her mind about the new policy, and management wasn't pleased.
Someone who speaks their mind values honesty over keeping the peace.
- assertivenessConfident self-expression quality
- authenticityQuality of being genuine
- candorUnguarded truthfulness
- brutal honestyUnsparing directness in speech
- honestyTruthfulness, sincerity
integrity · confrontation · having it out · laying cards on the table · forthrightness · directness · vulnerability · conviction · self-expression · truthfulness · trustworthiness · telling it like it is · straight talk · transparency · unfiltered · respect · courage · confidence
spoke one's mindbit one's tongue
Stopped oneself from speaking
said nothing · kept quiet · self-censored · held back · clammed up
spoke one's mindtoed the line
Adhered to standards
lied · dissembled · played it safe · beat around the bush · minced words
spoke one's mindbacked down
Retreated from a position
caved in · deferred · capitulated · acquiesced · yielded
spoke, speaks, speaking, spoken, speaker, speakers, speakable, unspeakable, outspoken